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Neurostimulation in Pragmatic Language Research: A Comprehensive Review

Year 2025, Volume: 36 Issue: 1, 83 - 108, 29.06.2025

Hazel Zeynep Kurada

https://doi.org/10.18492/dad.1545559

Abstract

Pragmatic language involves the use of language in social interactions, including understanding conversational norms, interpreting non-literal language, and using language appropriately in various social contexts. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in using brain stimulation techniques to study pragmatic language in both healthy and clinical populations. This review synthesizes recent research on the application of transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation in pragmatic language studies, highlighting the critical roles of brain regions such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, the right temporo-parietal junction, and the left middle frontal gyrus. These areas are implicated in various aspects of pragmatic language, including the processing of idiomatic expressions, the comprehension of indirect speech acts, and decision-making during communication. While current research underscores the promise of these neuromodulation techniques, further studies are needed to optimize their application in both theoretical and clinical contexts.

Keywords

neuropragmatics non-literal language neurostimulation transcranial magnetic stimulation

Ethical Statement

Author Contributions: This research and all stages related to the research were conducted by a single author. Submission statement and verification: This study has not been previously published elsewhere. It is not under review in another journal. Publication of the study has been approved, either implicitly or explicitly, by all authors and the responsible authorities at the university/research center where the study was conducted. If the study is accepted for publication, it will not be published in the same form in another printed or electronic medium in Turkish or any other language without the written permission of the Journal of Linguistic Research. Conflict of Interest Statement: The authors declare that there are no financial or academic conflicts of interest between themselves or with other institutions, organizations or individuals that may affect this study. Data Use: No data was used in this study. Ethical Approval/Participant Consent: There is no need for ethical approval in the study. Financial Support: No financial support was received for the study.

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Pragmatik Dil Araştırmalarında Beyin Uyarımı

Year 2025, Volume: 36 Issue: 1, 83 - 108, 29.06.2025

Hazel Zeynep Kurada

https://doi.org/10.18492/dad.1545559

Abstract

Pragmatik dil, dilin sosyal etkileşim ortamlarında kullanımını, iletişimsel kuralların anlaşılmasını, imgesel, sezdirim ya da dolaylılık içeren dilin yorumlanmasını ve dilin bağlama uygun şekilde kullanımını kapsamaktadır. Son yıllarda uluslararası alanyazında pragmatik dile yönelik araştırmalarda transkraniyal manyetik uyarım ve transkraniyal doğru akım uyarımı gibi beyin uyarımı tekniklerinin kullanıldığı çalışmaların sayısı giderek artmaktadır. Bu derleme, pragmatik dil işlemleme süreçlerinde özellikle dorsolateral prefrontal korteks, sağ temporo-parietal bağlantı bölgesi ve sol orta frontal girus gibi kritik beyin bölgelerinin işlevlerini öne çıkaran güncel araştırmaları sentezlemektedir. Derlemede bu beyin bölgelerinin, imgesel dilin yorumlanması, dolaylı söz eylemlerinin anlaşılması ve iletişim sırasında karar alma gibi üst düzey dil süreçlerinde rol oynadığı ortaya konulmaktadır. Derlemenin ortaya koyduğu mevcut bulgular, nöromodülasyon tekniklerinin pragmatik dilin farklı boyutlarını aydınlatmadaki potansiyelini vurgulamakla beraber; pragmatik dil bozukluğu olan klinik gruplara yönelik beyin uyarım teknikleri ile yapılacak daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç duyulduğunu da göstermektedir.

Keywords

nöropragmatik imgesel dil beyin uyarımı transkraniyal manyetik uyarım transkraniyal doğru akım uyarımı

References

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  • Bambini, V., Tonini, E., Ceccato, I., Lecce, S., Marocchini, E., & Cavallini, E. (2020). How to improve social communication in aging: Pragmatic and cognitive interventions. Brain and Language, 211, 104864.
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  • Champagne-Lavau, M., & Stip, E. (2010). Pragmatic and executive dysfunction in schizophrenia. Journal of Neurolinguistics, 23(3), 285-296.
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  • Dennis, M., Lazenby, A. L., & Lockyer, L. (2001). Inferential language in high-function children with autism. Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 31, 47-54.
  • Devlin, J. T., & Watkins, K. E. (2007). Stimulating language: insights from TMS. Brain, 130(3), 610-622.
  • Dick, A. S., Mok, E. H., Beharelle, A. R., Goldin‐Meadow, S., & Small, S. L. (2014). Frontal and temporal contributions to understanding the iconic co‐speech gestures that accompany speech. Human brain mapping, 35(3), 900-917.
  • Feng, W., Wu, Y., Jan, C., Yu, H., Jiang, X., & Zhou, X. (2017). Effects of contextual relevance on pragmatic inference during conversation: An fMRI study. Brain and Language, 171, 52-61.
  • Feng, W., Yu, H., & Zhou, X. (2021). Understanding particularized and generalized conversational implicatures: Is theory-of-mind necessary?. Brain and Language, 212, 104878.
  • Ferré P, Fonseca RP, Ska B, & Joanette Y (2012). Communicative clusters after a right-hemisphere stroke: are there universal clinical profiles? Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 64(4), 199–207. 10.1159/000340017
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  • Flöel, A., Rösser, N., Michka, O., Knecht, S., & Breitenstein, C. (2008). Noninvasive brain stimulation improves language learning. Journal of cognitive neuroscience, 20(8), 1415-1422.
  • Fogliata, A., Rizzo, S., Reati, F., Miniussi, C., Oliveri, M., & Papagno, C. (2007). The time course of idiom processing. Neuropsychologia, 45(14), 3215-3222.
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Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Linguistic Performance Science
Journal Section Review Articles
Authors

Hazel Zeynep Kurada 0000-0003-1096-1086

Publication Date June 29, 2025
Submission Date September 8, 2024
Acceptance Date March 1, 2025
Published in Issue Year 2025Volume: 36 Issue: 1

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APA Kurada, H. Z. (2025). Neurostimulation in Pragmatic Language Research: A Comprehensive Review. Dilbilim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 36(1), 83-108. https://doi.org/10.18492/dad.1545559

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Journal DOI: 10.18492/dad